Housing for a Dual Release Twin Buckle Assembly

Abstract

Disclosed is a housing assembly for twin latching mechanisms. The housing assembly includes two handles that can be pivoted to separately unlatch two belt connectors. The latching mechanisms are positioned within the housing such that when the handles are pivoted upwardly, their leading edges engage plunger mechanisms associated with the latching mechanisms. By engaging the plunger mechanisms, individual latches are disengaged and the associated belt connectors are ejected. A flange interconnects the two handles such that one or both handles are pivoted depending upon which handle is lifted by the operator. The housing provides a secure enclosure for the latch mechanisms and also shields the working components from the environment.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to co-pending provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 093,485 filed on Sep. 2, 2008 and entitled “Housing for Dual Release Twin Buckle Assembly.” This application also claims priority to co-pending provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 091,886 filed on Aug. 26, 2008 and entitled “Housing for Twin Latching Mechanism.” The contents of both these co-pending applications are fully incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to a housing for a twin buckle assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a buckle assembly that accepts tongue plates from separate restraint belts and which permits the tongue plates to be separately released.DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART[0003]The use of restraint systems is now common place, and even mandatory, in a wide variety of vehicles. Aircraft, both fixed wing and rotary, and most types of land vehicles now all use restraint...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]It is yet another object of this invention to provide housing and latching mechanisms that are not fixedly interconnected so as to improve impact resistance.

Problems solved by technology

This conventional design, however, is not acceptable in all situations.

For instance, sometimes vehicle occupants are wearing heavy or bulky clothing.

In such cases, the use of conventional restraint systems is simply not possible.

Although the inventions of the prior art achieve particular objectives, these inventions also suffer from common drawbacks.

These inventions, for instance, do not provide a housing that adequately protects the internal buckle assembly against damage and / or corrosion.

Furthermore, the prior art inventions do not provide a device with separate housing and latching assemblies so as to improve durability and impact strength.

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